Slim Thug

小Slim Thug來自休斯敦，是近期漸漸走入主流的美國南方說唱樂的代表之一。與許多說唱歌手的出道經歷類似，Slim Thug最初也是從參與一些說唱歌手專輯制作開始自己的說唱歌手生涯的，隨即Slim Thug開始自己創(chuàng)作一些作品并且錄制成磁帶。他在2002年和2004年之間，發(fā)行過的3張專輯曾登上過排行榜。2004年，他獨立發(fā)行了專輯We Make the Rules in the Streets，加上之前的數張獨立專輯，讓Slim Thug的影響力迅速的擴大。

隨著近年來美國南方說唱音樂的飛速發(fā)展，Slim Thug也成為主流大唱片公司的目標。簽約主流公司之后，Slim Thug的宣傳力度迅速擴大。在經過了多次的推遲發(fā)行之后，這張由The Neptunes等精英制作人打造的專輯Already Platinum終于在2005年7月12日正式推出。

by Andy Kellman

An imposing figure with a voice to match, Slim Thug had been dropping in for guest verses -- on mixtapes and other artists' albums -- for several years before making his full-length debut through the Neptunes' Star Trak label. Based out of the northern part of Houston, the MC fell in with Swisha House's Michael Watts and established a following in short time, which had a lot to do with his business instincts -- mixtapes released on his own Boss Hogg Outlawz label circulated throughout the region. (He also acquired a couple record stores and became involved with real estate.) Already Platinum, distributed by Geffen, sustained several release-date delays before its July 2005 street date, and featured production work from the Neptunes and Jazze Pha.